Marillion – Seasons End

After Fish’s departure, Steve Hogarth was brought into the band. His first outing with band, 1989’s Season’s End, removed all doubts about the band’s future. Hogarth’s unique, expressive voice fit Marillion perfectly; on the full-throttle rock assault of “The Uninvited Guest” or the emotional “After You,” Hogarth’s singularity is unmistakable. The heartfelt “Easter,” with its imaginative electric-acoustic arrangement, is another showcase for Hogarth’s talents. Marillion’s ability to write music whose ideals live and breathe in the listener continues on Seasons End, particularly on the inspiring “Holloway Girl,” which dissects the injustice of incarcerating mentally ill female inmates (at England’s Holloway Prison) instead of placing them in appropriate psychiatric facilities. The beautiful “Easter” is the band’s plea for peace in Ireland, while “The King of Sunset Town” has its lyrical roots in the massacre at Tiananmen Square. Hogarth’s flexible range and beautiful phrasing shine on the entire album. In 1999 Marillion released a remastered version of Seasons End, including a bonus disc of outtakes and alternate versions as well as the previously unreleased “The Bell in the Sea” and “The Release.” Both are strong tracks and are welcome additions to the Marillion catalog.
This album is one of the greatest albums of the late 80’s.Steve Hogarth introduction and one of the greatest prog-Sympho the UK has ever produced. Also for pro Fish fanatics this album should be in your record collection.One of the biggest assets Steve has over fish is that he plays the piano,keyboards. Don’t get me wrong Fish is a great songwriter but Steve Hogarth gives just that much more in his songs.Marillion in this line-up produced many fine and great records but Season’s End is the best effort for me. 100 %.